Ampatuan urges QC-RTC for aircon in prison

- Anwar Ampatuan Jr. has requested the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to allow him to bring in a portable aircon in his prison cell.

- Ampatuan's request for air conditioner rose from the uncomfortable condition in his prison cell.

- Medical reasons were cited for said request made by one of the accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Branch 221 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court rejected the request of Anwar Ampatuan Jr. to have with him a portable air conditioner inside his prison cell at the Quezon City Jail Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City for medical purposes.

The grandson of the late Andal Ampatuan Sr, former Maguindanao Governor, pleaded the RTC to let him bring a portable air conditioner inside because he has been experiencing shortness of breath and suffering skin allergies. These conditions can be attributed to the physical condition of the accused and the current high temperature inside the jail.

”To prevent a more severe reaction on the skin of the accused which can cause an outbreak and to alleviate the breathing difficulties, it is humbly requested from this Court to allow the accused to bring in a portable air [conditioning unit] to his detention cell,” the motion, which was denied on April 25, stated.

The denial prompted the filing of a motion for reconsideration of the aircon request.

“He failed to submit a medical certification to validate his claim that he is suffering from shortness of breath and skin allergies,” the court said.

“Considering that still no medical certificate was attached to the motion for reconsideration and considering that no new substantial argument was raised. The court denies the motion,” the court added in the order.

In the morning of November 23, 2009, 58 persons, who are on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, were murdered. Mangudadatu’s supposed candidacy posed a threat against Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the late governor Ampatuan Sr.

Among those 58 people who were killed are the wife and two (2) sisters of Mangudadatu, lawyers, journalists, and other motorists who witnessed the crime. At least 34 journalists were killed. It has been known as the single deadliest event for journalists in the history. Anwar was one of those 198 charged with 58 counts of murder.